1) For the most part, we leave celebrating Valentineâ€™s Day to our home lives. Sarah C. shared her plans for tiny bouquets for her coworkers, but for most of us, the holiday passes without much fanfare at work. Joanne says: â€œEllie, I feel your painâ€¦. I am one of the few females in my department of 100+ technology folksâ€¦ and the only one that even reminds folks about important dates. I wore a red scarf today, but have yet to see anyone else wearing anything red. Bah Humbug! I had to gently remind a number of guys to go get a card or flowers or something for their wives. Sheesh!â€

2) We all have dirty house secrets. Rebecca F. shared hers in the tale of her beloved, but beaten up sheet pan and you have similar stories. Anita says: â€œRebecca â€” when did you come to my house and steal my sheet pan? Seriously, I have the twin to yours, and use it for the same types of things. Mine is only semi-hidden, as I live alone and donâ€™t need to hide it, but donâ€™t really want to see it, either. My sister spotted it one day, and gave me this look that said, â€œReally? You use this? And now youâ€™re going to serve me dinner?â€ An explanation was in order.â€

3) Weâ€™re ready for summer. Until then, this electronic butterfly in a jar will have to lift our spirits. Jess says, â€œI currently serve as a chaplain in a nursing home. One of our residents always kept a garden and became very down in these winter months, so we purchased a battery operated monarch butterfly for her room. Every morning we would move it from the window to the ledge, etc, and she has found such delight out of it! Iâ€™ve already asked for one for my own kitchenâ€¦ perhaps it will perk up the mundane task of washing dishes.â€

4) Following a few simple rules can maximize your benefit when planning for a cruise. Sarah C. asked, and once again, our readers came to the rescue. Pack less than you think you need, donâ€™t plan your own excursions and mind that hand sanitizer are just a few weâ€™re hearing often. What else should Sarah know about going on a cruise?

5) Army/Navy Surplus stores are great sources for fab home finds. Maryâ€™s recent trip spurred an epiphany, and weâ€™re signing on to an exploratory mission. Megan B. says: â€œIâ€™m making a trip down there stat! I NEED one of those gray blankets w/ the white stripes! So cute!â€

It’s a little early (or late) for Halloween, but perhaps you need a pinata for an Oscar party? (Were any zombie movies nominated?) Or maybe you just want to own this disturbingly lifelike — I mean, undeadlike — zombie pinata by Etsy seller Tom Deadstuff. I saw it on this Etsy blog post, and was stunned by how amazing Tom Deadstuff’s zombies are — and only $45! That may be a lot for something you intend to destroy, but as an art piece, that’s a shockingly low price. See all of Tom Deadstuff’s demented offerings here. (Angela, is this on your wishlist yet?) — Mary T. You know you want to see it! Click to see: (more…)

1) Edible spray paint is an awesome idea in theory, but in practice? Weâ€™re not sure. Sarah C. shared this edible food spray and youâ€™re willing to try it but have to wonder about the aftertaste and mouth stain potential. Julie says: â€œIncredible effect, but it 100% depends on the aftertaste. I canâ€™t stand the gross flavor that certain â€œedibleâ€ elements leave behind. My secondary question is, would it stain your teeth/lips/tongue? Because letâ€™s be honest, that would be hilarious at a swanky party!”

2) Factory tours are a forgotten source of fun. This week we toured Rejuvenation and Heath Ceramics and put factory tours back on your mental map. Stephanie says: â€œHow fun! Iâ€™ve never thought of touring a factory like this. This post reminds me of the good â€˜ol days when Mr. Rodgers would take us on a tour of the Crayon or peanut butter or stamp factory. Love.â€ How fun! Iâ€™ve never thought of touring a factory like this. This post reminds me of the good â€˜ol days when Mr. Rodgers would take us on a tour of the Crayon or peanut butter or stamp factory. Love.â€

3) We like aviation-inspired furnitureâ€¦in moderation. Restoration Hardwareâ€™s Aviator Collection makes quite a statement, probably too much for one room, but we like it. Jilliana says: â€œI actually really like these pieces, but the desk is do large and graphic that it would need a very large office to avoid feeling like something that crash-landed into the house. I donâ€™t think most people have the space to carry it off.â€

4) Popcorn kernels are a cure-all. Rebecca F. is at it again with her kernel fixes! First we used them to clean out narrow-necked vases. This week theyâ€™re solving our knife block problems. DJ says: â€œWhat do I think? I think you are brilliant! I purchased something similar from Viva Terra, a rectangular box of brightly painted wood filled with upright bamboo skewers, only to be disappointed because the skewers are loose and pull out whenever I remove a knife. Your popcorn kernel idea is MUCH better!â€

5) The Butter Bell is a small gadget with big results. And everyone has an opinion about it! Megan B. employs one in pursuit of the perfect grilled cheese and many of you also appreciate the luxury of having creamy, spreadable butter at a momentâ€™s notice. Carol says: â€œI have one and cannot imagining NOT owning one now! Butter is perfect and does not oxidizeâ€¦ my mom loved it and I had to get her one for Christmas. Nothing worse than tearing bread with rock hard butter. Worth every penny.â€

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This is site dedicated not to homemaking, but to home loving: Decorating, cooking, entertaining, organizing, gardening and making the most out of the places we call home. Shelterrific began in 2006 ... More

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